FROM THE FRONT
Greetings! I am Legionnaire Lieutenant Colonel Krikor
sutai-jechwI', and I have been commanding the Crimson Knight Fleet for
the past year or so. It has been two years since our fleet was
launched, and there have been a great many changes in that time.
Rather than trying to go over everything that has happened, I would
just like to offer some thanks to those who helped to get us where we
are today, and then talk a bit about where that actually is.
This year's Toronto Trek (July 11-13) marked the second anniversary of
the launch of the fleet. For a fledgeling group like ourselves to
have made it this long is a great accomplishment. Though the
pressures of Real Life have caused us to lose some members along the
way, we have greeted many new faces as well, so that we can look to the
future stronger than ever.
Our continued success as a fleet would not have been possible were it
not for the support and guidance we have received from the rest of
KAG. Thought Admiral Kuuriis has gone out of his way to welcome
us into KAG with open arms. He has allowed us the freedom to
maintain our own "Canadian" flavor within the larger family of
KAG. Thanks also go out to Admiral Kerla, who has been with us
from the beginning, offering her wisdom and experience to help us get
through any difficulties we faced along the way.
For the first year of our fleet's existence, we were commanded by
Commander K'Ehleyer. She led the fleet through its infancy, and
set the standard of leadership for those who follow after; as her
successor, I have found
some hard shoes to fill. Although real life concerns have forced
K'Ehleyer to step back from a position of command, she is by no means
gone.
She continues to be a valuable service to the fleet as editor of our
fleet newsletter.
I would also like to thank those officers whose vision started it
all. In addition to K'Ehelyer, this fleet was born in the minds
of Kasarr, Kalot, Scorphan, and Chil. Most of them still serve
the fleet as command advisors.
With the help of all these folks (and many others I haven't mentioned),
we have established our identity as a fleet. We have a fleet
logo; thanks to Neko for drawing up the original, and Scorphan for
doing the final version. We have a newsletter again; hopefully it
will be coming out on a more regular schedule from now on. And
Lt. K'Nass has put together a fleet website for us, and will be
expanding it as time goes on.
Out in the west, the Rocky Mountain Quadrant is going strong.
Under the leadership of Cmdr. Krau, the ships of the quadrant are as
active as they have ever been; in fact, the IKV Swifthawk just
celebrated its tenth anniversary! We also have the possible
beginnings of two new ships, one in BC and one in Alberta.
In the east, the Birmivhiq Quadrant is currently in a restructuring
phase. Under the able leadership of M Capt. K'Mawk, I am
confident that it won't be long before the ships of the quadrant are
going full throttle again.
Here in the Scarlet Shield Quadrant, we have been busier than
ever. Between the parades, conventions, and other public
gatherings, our many ships and members have left their mark across the
quadrant. Much of the credit for organizing events and otherwise
supporting the ships of the SSQ goes to L Major Khor, who until
recently was serving as Deputy Quadrant Commander. For this
reason, I am pleased to announce that Major Khor has been appointed
Commander of the Scarlet Shield Quadrant as of Toronto Trek.
I would also like to award Fleet Commendations to the following members:
To Cmdr. K'Ehleyer, for putting together our newsletter. Despite
being extremely busy with real life, K'Ehleyer has found the time to
edit the various articles and provide copies of the newsletter for
distribution. Qapla', K'ehleyer!
To Lt. K'Nass, for work on the Fleet website. The site is now up
and running, and new elements will be added soon; watch ckf.kag.org for
developments. Qapla', K'Nass!
Back in January, I announced the creation of a new fleetwide award: the
Strategy Mark. It is awarded to a member who organizes a Battle
Notch event, taking the initiative to make something happen for the
rest of the membership. Since its inception, Strategy Marks have
been awarded to:
M Capt. Ma'tel, for the Toronto Feast
M Capt. Kalia, for the Oshawa Feast
L Capt. K'Tallia, for the Klingon Poetry Night
L Major Khor, for the Bread & Honey Parade
Lt. K'Ol-orada, for the Rexdale Parade
L Capt. Ka-ris, for the MD Telethon
Speaking of events, there are several conventions coming up in the next
few months. They include:
VCon, Vancouver, October 10-12
Con*Cept, Montreal, November 8
Ad Astra, Toronto, April 2-4, 2004
For the future of the fleet in general, I see one thing: growth.
With the rebuilding in the east, expansion in the west, and
nonstop activity in central Canada, this fleet is poised to achieve
some great things in the days ahead.
One of the things that makes us special is our cooperative
spirit. KAG may be international in scope, but the heart of the
club is its local chapters. So I would encourage every ship in
the fleet to work together, as much as possible, with other fan
organizations in your local area, be they conventions or other fan
clubs. Such openness helps to support fandom as a whole.
These days, with the changing nature of the fan community, anything
that gets fans away from their TVs and computers and involved in real
live activities is good for all of us.
We are the Canadian Fleet of KAG. Every part of that statement is
something to be proud of. We can take pride that we are Canadian;
we add our own distinctiveness to the world fan community. We can
take pride that we are a fleet; together we built this fleet from the
ground up. And most of all we can take pride that we are KAG; we
are a part of the largest and most well known Klingon fan club in the
entire world.
For the Glory of the Crimson Knight Fleet and of KAG!
Qapla'!
L Lt.Col. Krikor sutai-jechwI'
(Krikor Ajemian)
Crimson Knight Fleet Commander, KAG
